KOTOKO TO FIRE 12 PLAYERS (GRAPHIC SPORTS, LEAD STORY, NOV 12, 2010)

THE now-famous (or is it infamous?) Ghanaian political phrase, “fear and panic”, seems to have found its way into the camp of Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC, following the decision by new Serbian coach, Bogdan Korak, to trim the playing body from the current 37 players to 25.
Offloading as many as 12 players could be unprecedented in the history of Kotoko, and this has sent shivers through the club as no one kows who would fall victims.
No official list has come up yet but already speculations are rife as to the possible victims of the overhauling. From all indications some of the old horses will get the exit, while some uninspiring new players could also get the sack.
Confirming Korak’s decision, club Public Affairs Manager, Jarvis Peprah, said the coach insists that the number of players in camp was too large to contain.
“The team’s performance has been uncharacteristic of a typical Kotoko and the coach will be right to institute the right measures to put things right”, Jarvis said.
The Public Affairs Manager said after watching the players briefly, he had come to the conclusion that some of them are not Kotoko materials.
Korak formally took over the training of the team last Monday after agreening a reported $5,000 a month salary.
The Serb trainer will also promote five of the Under-20 players into the senior team after seeing the great potentials in them.
Korak, who arrived in Kumasi last week after the exit of Ebo Mends, was on the bench to observe the team when they lost 0-2 to Aduana Stars in a Glo Premier League match at Dormaa-Ahenkro last Sunday.
The coach was reportedly shocked at the club’s output as they fumbled and tumbled in Dormaa-Ahenkro, and decided to move to bring the team back to shape.
Korak, 51, is a former assistant coach of the Serbian national team. His club career saw him coaching local sides, Vereinslos and Hajduk Rodic.
He comes along with countryman, Vladimir Cepzanovic, as physical trainer.
Indeed, the coach is said to have complained about the poor physical condition of the current Kotoko squad and believes Vladimir has the capacity to change things for the better.
Some people are questioning the ability of the coach to turn the fortunes of the club overnight but maagement has expressed full confidence in him and had promisded to give him time to right the wrongs.